Dr. Amar Gopal Bose, audio pioneer, chairman and founder of Framingham, Mass-based Bose Corporation died today. He was 83. According to statements from Bose Corp. and MIT News, no cause of death was given.
Bose was passionate about making the connection between the psychological and physiological responses of sound. It was the combination of Bose’s genius, passion as well as brilliant marketing that transformed his name into a brand to be reckoned with.
In a May 2013 survey by Strategy Analytics of consumers in the U.S. and Western Europe regarding their perception of premium audio brands, more consumers rated Bose as a preferred brand than any other in the U.S., UK, France and Germany.
The Man and the Company
Bose started Bose Corporation in 1964 based on research he conducted at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
According to MIT News, Bose received his bachelor’s degree, master’s degree and doctorate from MIT, all in electrical engineering. He joined the MIT faculty in 1956 with the intention of teaching for no more than two years, MIT News says, but he continued as a member of the MIT faculty until 2001.
In the following statement from the company website, Bose president Bob Maresca praises Bose for his hard work and dedication:
It is impossible to put into words what Dr. Bose meant to each of us, and to Bose. He was more than our Chairman. He was our teacher—always encouraging us, always believing that we could do great things, and that anything was possible.
Dr. Bose was an incredible mentor and inspiration to Bose employees around the world. Today, and everyday going forward, our hearts are with him, and our work will honor him.”
Dr. Bose’s discoveries revolutionized industries, and his generous spirit changed people’s lives. There is no end to the good he has done.
We extend our deepest sympathies to his family.
MIT president Rafael Reif said he learned from the extraordinarily gifted leader:
“He made quality mentoring and a joyful pursuit of excellence, ideas and possibilities the hallmark of his career in teaching, research and business. I learned from him, and was inspired by him, every single time I met with him,” says Reif. “Over the years, I have seen the tremendous impact he has had on the lives of many students and fellow faculty at MIT. This proud MIT graduate, professor and innovator was a true giant who over decades enriched the Institute he loved with his energy, dedication, motivation and wisdom. I have never known anyone like him. I will miss him. MIT will miss him. The world will miss him.”
In 2011, Bose gave MIT the majority of Bose stock in the form of non-voting shares whose dividends are used to support education and research. MIT does not participate in management or governance of Bose Corp.
I think it is safe to speak for many people within this A/V community that I have been part of for many years — Dr. Amar Bose’s presence will be missed. Without a doubt, he has made an indelible mark.
MCC’s Audio Visual Solutions Division has been supplying our customer’s with state-of-the-art Bose sound for many years and will for many more to come. The A/V community has definitely lost a great pioneer of sound and technology.